The escalating cost of medical procedures may soon be monitored similarly to essential goods like rice, sugar, and eggs, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni stated on Thursday (Nov 28) that the Health Ministry is exploring strategies to address the growing concern over increasing healthcare expenses.
To tackle this issue, Lukanisman announced that the ministry is collaborating with the Finance Ministry to implement a nationwide Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) fee-charging system, where patients will be billed based on the category and severity of their diagnosis, rather than being charged separately for each procedure and medication.
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Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni stated on Thursday (Nov 28) that the Health Ministry is exploring strategies to address the growing concern over increasing healthcare expenses.
To tackle this issue, Lukanisman announced that the ministry is collaborating with the Finance Ministry to implement a nationwide Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) fee-charging system, where patients will be billed based on the category and severity of their diagnosis, rather than being charged separately for each procedure and medication.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/msyxvkef
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
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NewsTranscript
00:00We are looking at an issue that is rising and hot in the media at the moment
00:07regarding the concern about the increase in premium insurance and also the co-payment that has been mentioned.
00:13And also in the data that we have at the moment, the number of hospital admissions from private hospitals to KKM
00:21since 2019 to 2022 has not had a significant increase.
00:27As an example, in 2019, we had 1,602 patients from private hospitals to KKM hospitals.
00:37And also in the current 2020-2022 data, only 1,604 people.
00:45This means that there is no significant increase.
00:47But with what is happening at the moment, we are looking at it in detail.
00:52Regarding the issue of co-payment and premium insurance, there is an answer that has been provided by the Ministry of Finance.
01:01And also, Your Honour, it may refer to the question directed to the Ministry of Finance.
01:09Nevertheless, to deal with inflation-related issues that cause an increase in premium value
01:17and also the claim that there is an overcharge or an excessive fee imposed by private hospitals
01:27causing patients to have to be referred back to public hospitals.
01:33Among one of the studies and implementation that is being done and has also been mentioned in the media
01:41related to the Minister of Health, is where we see a rationale for the development of a national DRG system
01:49or a diagnostic that is related to a diagnostic-related group or classification of patients
02:02based on the diagnosis, type of treatment and the source used in one treatment episode.
02:09And this DRG is important for the provision and financing of the health sector
02:13by calculating the cost of treatment, cost of management and health tariff.
02:16And we are also doing a casemate in our treatment system at the hospital
02:23and we are also in the process of thinking about what is the mechanism for us to launch this DRG at a national level
02:32to enable hospitals such as universities, military hospitals and private hospitals
02:39to adapt the use of this DRG to determine the cost so that the cost is not excessive
02:46and also enable the group M40 or B40 to get a clearer treatment in the private sector.
02:55Not only does it come with the feeling that the cost will be imposed with an excessive price.
03:02We are thinking and we are also looking at the details of the situation that is happening at the moment.
03:08Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
03:10Thank you, Madam Speaker.
03:13So, my question is related to the answer given by the Minister's team earlier
03:18regarding the charge premium.
03:21Because this issue is being discussed, it is a viral issue on the internet and also among our Malaysian people.
03:29So, I would like to point out the first statement of the media released by KBJ Healthcare Berhad recently.
03:36KBJ Healthcare Berhad achieved a historic milestone for the quarter ended 30th September 2024,
03:45recorded its highest ever quarterly revenue of RM1.328 billion.
03:53So, this KBJ Healthcare Berhad also stated that their quarterly income increased dramatically
04:03because the number of patients increased.
04:07So, this is clear that our healthcare system, our private healthcare system, has benefited.
04:17So, when we, the MPs, are competing with the Bank of Malaysia,
04:23yes, because the charge premium by the government has increased,
04:28so we are competing with the Bank of Malaysia.
04:32But the Bank of Malaysia also stated that the control of this agricultural service is under the control of the KKM.
04:40So, is the KKM discussing with the Bank of Malaysia so that this issue can be resolved?
04:47Not only when we are competing with the Bank of Malaysia, the Bank of Malaysia said that this issue is under the control of the KKM.
04:52When we are competing with the KKM, the KKM said that this issue has to be competed with the Bank of Malaysia.
04:57So, is it possible for both parties to sit together to resolve this issue so that not only the people do not compete,
05:05I feel that many MPs here are also affected,
05:09also affected because they have to pay a higher premium charge now.
05:15That's all, thank you.
05:21Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
05:23Indeed, that is the message that I often hear and get at this time, Honourable Speaker.
05:31As I said earlier, we are studying the rationale to introduce this DRG at the national level.
05:41We have also introduced the KSMIC model at the facilities with clear costs for the treatment process
05:53which can also be used as a guide so that it is not overcharged by private hospitals.
06:01Also, at this time, we are monitoring the control under the CKEPS and we are also monitoring the ACTA-V.
06:09Even so, we are discussing with the Ministry of Finance on the implementation of this DRG concept.
06:17Discussions are also underway and today our officials are also planning and discussing and also highlighting this initiative.
06:27Even so, we will also monitor and also use the powers that we have,
06:33the powers that we have to look at the claims regarding the charges and also the premiums that have been raised.
06:42And also, if the KPDN can monitor the price of rice, sugar and eggs,
06:48I think maybe under the authority of the Ministry of State Bank, Ministry of Finance and also KKM,
06:55maybe we will monitor the need to look at the current costs.
06:59Because we understand that KKM does not have enough capacity to accommodate patients with the burden of work that we have.
07:11Even though we do our best, the capacity must be shared by private hospitals but at a reasonable price.
07:21That's all I can answer, Madam President.